Prefabricated window structure



Dec. 27, 1955 J. B. ZAPPONE EI'AL 7 PREFABRICATED WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 12, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 OGOOOOO- John B. Zoppone E13. 2 Charles E Zappone Alexander H. Svetuhor J. B. ZAPPONE ET AL PREF'ABRICATED WINDOW STRUCTURE Dec. 27, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 12, 1952 INVENTORSI John B. Zoppone Charles F. Zoppone Alexon erH Svet r n,-:

Dec. 27, 1955 J. B. ZAPPONE ETAL 2,728,117

PREFABRICATED WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 12. 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet s Hit? I 7 w so INVENTORS John B. Zoppone Charles F. Zoppone Alexander H. Svet% lfid' Dec. 27, 1955 J. B. ZAPPONE ETAL PREFABRICATED WINDOW STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 12, 1952 lOl INVENTORS John B. Zoppone Charles F. Zoppone Alexon er H. Svetohor )4 @444 Dec. 27, 1955 J. B. ZAPPONE ETAL 2,723,117

PREFABRICATED WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 12, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 73 74 75 Hm g6 3n lum 76 7| s 72 o o INVENTORS John B.Zuppone '2' 7 Chorles F. Zappone .6 Alexander H. Svetohor United States Patent Ofiice 2,728,157 Patented Dec. 27, 1955 PREFABRICATED WINDOW STRUCTURE John B. Zappone, Latrobe, Charles F. Zappone, Greensburg, and Alexander H. Svetahor, Derry, Pa., assignors to Keystone Alloys Company, Derry, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 12, 1952, Serial No. 309,162 6 Claims. (Cl. -52.2)

This invention relates to a prefabricated window comprising a frame and readily removable sashes. More particularly, this invention pertains to a new permanent prefabricated window which is realtively simple to construct, adjust and install and which may readily serve as a storm window, for example, with sliding glazed and/or screened panels for ready access of light or of light and air.

In recent years there has been a tremendous increase in the manufacture and use of prefabricated windows employing, for example, extruded forms of a material like aluminum in their construction. Such windows in many cases, although made in a range of sizes, required so much in the way of alteration and refitting as to substantially constitute a custom-made window with the attendant increase in handling and cost. Further, unless such fitting was performed with precision, the entire window might be rendered valueless as in those cases where one of the members was trimmed too much. Prior such windows, in many cases, particularly when used as storm windows, lacked any convenient mode of moving or removing the sashes to permit air access or cleaning. In other situations, after moderate use, the various elements of the windows might bind. In times of temperate weather, where screen panels were to be used at all, an involved exchange substitution might be required. In some windows having sashes to be left permanently installed, either no locking means were provided or where they were provided, material increase in the depth of the window from front to back was caused thereby. Still further, many prior windows made no provision for storage in place of any panel that might not be used.

In the prefabricated window of this inventiomthe foregoing dificulties have been overcome. Among other advantages, the window of this invention may be used either as a storm window or as an insert in a storm door or it may be used as a primary window permanently installed in a house or other building. In the construction and installation of the new window, extruded forms can be utilized to a great extent and precise gauging for the particular job at hand is readily made even by relatively unskilled installation personnel. The new window of this invention is preferably provided with three landings permitting the use of as many sliding panels without binding and in juxtaposition to one another. Ready movability of the sliding panels results from the new construction in all stages of opening and closing and in the course of storage. The new construction also provides ready insertability and removability and substantial weather tightness without special weather stripping being required.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings which are illustrative only, in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation from the inside of a new window of this invention with both glazed sashes up and'a screened panel down in air access position;

Figure 2 is a view in cross section taken along line II-H of Figure 1 and illustrating the window of Figure 1 installed as a storm window within the surrounds of a Window opening in a building having a conventional sash or prime window therein;

Figure 3 is a view in elevation from the inside of the frame only of the new window shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3A is a detailed view showing an illustrative joint between a horizontal closure channel and the inside of a stile in the frame shown in Figure 3;

Figure 4 is a view in cross section taken along line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view in cross section taken along line VV of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of the frame shown in Figure 3 with an upper glazed sash in a position for insertion or removal therefrom;

Figure 7 is a view in perspective of the structure shown in Figure 6 with a lower glazed sash in position for insertion or removal therefrom;

Figure 8 is a detailed fragmentary view taken generally along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7 with the upper sash removed and showing the mode of initial engagement or final disengagement of the lower glazed sash relative to the frame and the respective tracks thereon;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of the innermost track shown in Figure 8 and the upper portion of a screened panel in initial engagement or final disengagement position relative thereto;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the upper or outer glass sash, part of which has been broken away and partly in section to illustrate the construction and latch mechanism operation thereof;

Figure 11 is a view in elevation of the lower part of the lower or inner glass sash, part of which has been broken away and partly in section to show the construction of the latch mechanism operation thereof;

Figure 12 is a detailed view of a pivoted retainer member on the frame in coacting position for the lower glass sash;

Figure 13 is a detailed view of the meeting rail seal between the upper and lower glass sashes when in fully closed position;

Figure 14 is a view in elevation from the inside of the ventilator portion at the bottom of the window frame shown in Figure 3;

Figure 15 is a view in section taken along line XVXV of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a view in elevation of two windows of this invention joined in side-by-side relation for a large window opening; and

Figure 17 is a view taken along line XVII-XVII of Figure 16.

Referring to the drawings, a new window 10 of this invention may, for example, be used as a storm window on the outer side of a regular window 11 set in a window opening in a masonry wall 12 of a building. The sides 13, sill 14 and lintel 15 with the surrounds of window 11. The outermost pair of guide strips 16 may be referred to as a blind stop. For convenience, window 10 may be installed within the surrounds and against the blind stops, the distance between which with the clear height between the-sill and lintel provide the width and height dimensions useful in the selecting the size of window 10'to be installed on the outer side of window 11. Because of the new construction of this invention, such installation, as will appear, is a relatively simple matter.

New window 10 comprises an adjustable frame 17, one embodiment of which is shown in Figure 3, preferably with an upper, outer glazed sash 18; a lower, middle sash 19 which is also preferably glazed; and, if desired, an inner screen sash 20 with screening 21 instead of glass extending across the area surrounded by sash 20. Glazed guide strips 16 comprise sash 19 would be of course the inside or inner of the two glass panels 18 and 19.

Frame 17 comprises the right-hand and left-hand stiles or jambs 22 which, as shown, are single extruded shapes of a substance like aluminum. The stepped character of each stile provides three pairs of landings respectively numbered 23, 24 and 25 which serve as tracksfor panels 29, 19 and 18, respectively. The respective pairs of tracks from the inside to the outside of window have a lesser width or gauge so that the respective panels may be inserted from the inside or removed to the inside with facility. Side wall portions 26, 27 and 23 respectively cooperate in each of the stiles 22 with the track portions 23, 24, and to give the respective panels 20, 19 and 13 firm guidance respectively on the outer sides thereof and on the vertical edges thereof for iree sliding operation. Siid able retention of the respective panels l8, l9 and 20 against their respective tracks is insured by the respective pairs of retainer ciips 3i), and 31. The retainer clips may be of spring tempered stainless steel having flexible Wings 32 bent inwardly at the respective extremities of those wings for ease of insertion and removal of the panel or panels as the case may be. Each of the retainer clips is provided with a central stem 33 which in the case of side walls 2'7 and 2;? extends through an opening therein so that the 'outer end of the respective st'erns can be riveted, fer example, by a rivet 3 to its respective stile 22. The slits or slotsfor the stems 33 are of a size to avoid restriction on theflexing of the respective retainer clips. As shown, the stem 33 for the retainer clips 31 may extend around the inner edge of the walls 26 and through a slot in fiange 35 for riveting thereto. When stems 33, as in the case of the clips 29, are riveted to a side wall, such as side walls 28, the end of the rivets 34- on the inside of the walls 23 are preferably countersunk so as to remain out of the path of movement of the particular panel which is to operate therealong.

\ Side walls 27 and 28 are also provided with outwardly pressed pairs of niches 36 and 37. In each pair of side walls, the niches are at the same height and cooperate with the latch mechanisms which will be described on the respective panels to hold the glass sashes securely at whatever height an operator may desire. Further, a pair of semicircular recesses '58 in opposed relation are provided by cutting out portions c-f'tracl: 23 and side wall 27 to provide an opening for an L-shaped pivot retainer 39 having a stem 40 rotatably riveted or otherwise connected at All to respective stiles 22 outside of the path olf 'rnovernent'of the respective panels. Each retainer 39 may be provided with an upturned edge 42 to enable an operator to readily move it out of the way, as shown on the left-hand side of Figure 3, or move it into operative retaining positionas shown on the right-hand side of Figure 3. A small depression 43 may be provided creating'a protuberance on the side of retainer39 toward edge 44in each recess 38 toprevent retainer 3? Working back into'its'inoperative position when moved into operative position, and vice versa, 'since th e protuberance on the other sideof depression 43 will require pressure to move it from oneside to the other of edge 44. The retainers 39 are preferably operated as a pair so that when in operative position both would be in the position shown on the right-hand side of Figure 3 except that the lefthand retainer 39 wouldbe inclined toward the righthand one In operative position, the retainers 39 insure the presence of a non-binding guard on the inner side of sash 19 which generally is operative in the lower half of frame 17 and insures against any likelihood of sash 19 being pulled out of theframe as in the case, for example, of operating the latch mechanism thereof. The spring clips 29 to 31, inclusive, act when the respective panel sashes 18 to 2 0 are inoperative position, in opposed relation to the tracks 25,24 and 23, respectively, to provide a non binding guide for those panel sashes. Similarly,

retainers 3 9 in operative position act relative to track and panel 19 without in any way interfering with the vertical sliding movement thereof. Indeed, no matter what climatic changes may take place or what material may settle on the respective tracks and sashes, the new window of this invention continues to work freely at all times.

The stiles 2?. are also provided with an integral flange 413' of left-hand and right-hand nature as shown in Figure 5 to which a laterally adjustable closure strip 46 is connected. The closure strips may also be made in extruded form of a material like aluminum. A plurality of adjustment screws 47 extend through holes down the height of the strips 4-, through horizontal slots in the flanges and engage an elongated nut 4$. The length of nut 4-8 to at least one side of the axis of the adjustment screws $7 is such that when screws 47 are turned after the strips 46 have been moved to installation position, the nuts 48 will strike the outside of vertical wall 27 holding them against movement during the remainder of the tightening movement of the screws 47. Conversely, the screws may be loosened if required because the nuts 43 will swing around until they again strike stile 22 to be held relative to the screws 47.

In installing a window it? or a frame 17, as the case may be, the distance between the side walls 26 on the respective stiles and between a top edge of a top crossbar 49 and a bottom edge of a bottom crossbar 50 will readily provide the minimum width and height dimensions which a window opening must have in which a new window 10 is to be installed. In the construction of window 1%, the stiles 22 are provided of extra length at the respective ends as shown by the dotted portions in Figure 3 and are cut off in place to the height dimension between the sash and lintel in the window surrounds of the window opening in which the new window it) is to be installed. This trimming constitutes a simple shipping or sawing operation and is the only material cutting operation required in the installation procedure. Generally, the inside of flange 35 will either abut against the blind stop 16 or will fit between the blind stops which is the situation shown in Figure 2. Then, the adjustable closure 45 may be moved laterally outwardly until flange 51 thereof seats itself against vertical sides 13 of the surrounds of window 11. At that point wood screws 52 may be inserted through the openings 53 in flange 51 and screwed into the surrounds 13. The tightening of screws 47 will bind the balance of frame 17 to the closure strips 46 and in place outside of window 11 in the embodiment shown.

7, Any gap between lintel 15 and the top edge of crossbar 49 may be closed by sliding an inverted U-shaped top channel 54, which fits over the vertical sides of crossbar 49 as shown in Figures 3 and 4, upwardly until it rests against lintel 15 as shown in Figure 1 at which point the top of channel 54 will be on a level with the top of the stiles 22. The ends of channel 54 are cut to conform to the vertical configuration on the inside of the respective stiles 22 so that channel 54 may slide vertically relative theretoirrespective of the amount of the top of the stiles 22 that may be trimmed off in installing them as described above. Figure 3A illustrates the contour of the left-hand end of channel 54 relative to the left-hand stile 223s viewed in Figure 3. Similarly, any gap between the bottom edge of bottom crossbar 5i) and sill 14 may be closed by moving a bottom U-shaped channel 55 downwardly until the bottom thereof meets sill 1 2-. The vertical sides of channel 55 slidably fit within the vertical sides of crossbar 50 and the ends of channel 55 conform as in the case of channel 54 to the inner sides of the stiles 22 along which they are to slide in completing the installation of a window lit. The channels 54 and 55 may be made up of extruded channel sections or bent into channel shape from sheet material like aluminum sheets, fabrication of the ends thereof being accomplished by snipping or other'means to length and configuration.

Top crossbar 49 may be an extruded member of structural strength and of generally inverted U-shape with the inner vertical side having ends 56 extending far enough to overlie the respective landings 23 so that crossbar 49 can be attached to the stiles 22 by metal screws 57. The lower edge 58 on the outer vertical side of crossbar 49 may be pressed in a manner so that the surface thereof lies relatively flush with the outer side of landings 25, an car 59 at the respective ends 58 overlying the outer sides of the landings 25. The upper part 60 of the outer vertical side of crossbar 49 extends across the Width of frame 17 up to the side walls 28 placing the landings 25 between cars 59 and portion 60. Portion 60 is connected to the landings 25 by metal screws 61 above the slide path of sash 18, suflicient distance remaining between the inside of landings 25 and the outside of portion 60 for guiding movement of the outer vertical side 62 of channel 54. The end configuration of crossbar 49 on the horizontal top surface thereof is like the end configuration of the top surface of channel 54 as shown in Figure 3A. A depending presser member 63 may be fastened to the upper surface of crossbar 49. The lower edge 64 of presser 63 may be turned outwardly away from the landings 25 so as not to interfere with the uppermost positioning of panel 18. In its uppermost position the top rail of panel 18 will be pressed between presser 63 and edge 58 of crossbar 49 to assist in keeping the new construction substantially weather tight.

In the case of bottom crossbar 50, it too may be an extruded section of structural strength made of a material like aluminum. After such extrusion, the lower outer edge thereof may be bent out at spaced intervals to create cowls 65. Across the top surface 66 of crossbar 50, an integral weather ridge67 is formed so as to cooperate with a bottom edge of panel 19 in making the new window substantially weather tight when panel 19 is in its fully down, closed position. Similarly, the portion of top surface 66 outwardly of ridge 67 slopes downwardly and outwardly. A seating strip 68 may also be integrally formed on crossbar 50 at the corner between the top surface 66 and the inside vertical surface thereof to I coact when screen panel 20 is in its farthest down position by having strip 68 bear against panel 20 and insure against there being any rattling and also making the joint between strip 68 and lower rail of panel 20 substantially weather tight.

The inner or inside vertical side of crossbar 50 will extend far enough so as to overlie the landings 23 below the path of movement of panel 20, metal screws 69 being employed if desired to hold bar 50 to the stiles 22. The outer vertical side of crossbar 50 may extend substantially up to the side walls 28 within the landings 25 so that metal screws 76 may be used to fasten that side of crossbar 50 to the respective stiles. The inner plane surfaces of the inside and outside vertical sides of crossbar 50 are pressed against by U-shaped channel 55, which U-shaped channel may be formed from a sheet of material like aluminum for sliding contact with the inside of crossbar 50 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. If desired, the inside vertical side of crossbar 50 may be provided with a series of openings 71 behind which a slide 72 is adapted to be moved by knobs 73. Knobs 73 are connected to slide 72 by shafts 74 which extend through slots 75 in the inside vertical side of crossbar 50. Slide 72 is provided with screened openings 76 having the same spacing as the openings 71, there being sufiicient space between the opening 76 so that when the knobs 73 are moved to the right-hand side of the slot 75 as shown in Figure 14, the ventilator openings 71 are closed. Between the fully opened and fully closed position, the knobs 73 may be adjusted for partial opening of the holes 71. Ventilation on the other side of crossbar 50 is provided by the cowl openings beneath the cowls 65. If desired, the inner ends of the shaft 74 may be threaded so that by turning the knobs 73 the slide 72 can be brought against the inside of the vertical inner side of crossbar 50 to hold it thereagainst in any position in which it may be set. The end conformation of crossbar 50 and channel 55 is generally similar to the end configurations of crossbar 49 and channel 54 so as to snugly fit between the insides of the stiles 22.

Glazed sash 18 comprises a top inverted U-shaped rail 77, a bottom generally U-shaped meeting rail 78, and side H-shaped rails 79. These rails may be made by extrusion of a material such as aluminum and provided with mitered ends to form the corner joints 80. Angle bars 81 may be employed at each corner to join adjoining rails together. Thus, in the upper right-hand corner of Figure 10, angle 81 there is fastened to rail 77 by a screw 82 and it may similarly be fastened to rail 79 by that means or by other means such as indenting the sides of rail 79 from the outside thereof as shown at 84 to pinch angle 81. The other angles may be similarly fastened in constructing the sash. Panel 18 may be glazed by the use of a plastic bead 85 of U-shaped section surrounding the edge of the glass where such edges extend within and between the innermost edges of the respective rails in panel 18, the glass being designated by the numeral 86. The bottom or meeting rail 78 of panel 18 is provided on the inside thereof with an integral hook 87 extending across the entire width of rail 78 to provide, as will be described, substantial weatherproofing at that location when the glazed panels are in their normal fully closed positions.

Lower inner glass panel 19 is similar to panel 18 except that the outer side of top rail 88 of panel 18 is provided with a downwardly extending integral hook portion 89 to coact with hook 87 as shown in Figure 13 for weatherproofing. In addition, a bottom rail 90 in panel 19 is H-shaped in section providing thereby an upwardly extending channel 91 to accommodate ridge 67 between and against one of the sides thereof for weatherproofing purposes. In addition, the various interengaging members which provide substantial weatherproofing in the new window also act to eliminate any rattling of the various relatively movable elements of the new window.

As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the panels 18 and 19 may readily be inserted in their respective trackways and as readily removed therefrom, the operation being a reversal of steps. For example, in inserting panel 18 the upper rail is moved toward thetracks 25 immediately below the lower pair of spring clips 29 and at an angle as shown in Figure 6. While bearing against trackway 25, panel 18 is moved upwardly, the lower spring wings of the lowermost pair of clips 29 entering the top of the side channels 93 inside of the outer edge thereof and outwardly of the webs 94 and the side rails 79. The lower end of panel 18 is moved outwardly until the plane of sash 18 coincides with the plane of the tracks 25, the thickness of sash 18 generally corresponding to the depth of the side walls 28. As panel 18 is moved upwardly on tracks 25, the upper pair of spring clips 29 will also enter the channels 93 and top rail 77 will engage the presser 63.

rrespective of, whether or not there is. such a presser, one or more pairs of such spring clips 29 may be made of suilicient strength to hold panel 18 in whatever position it may be moved along the tracks 25. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, inner glazed panel 19, the middle one of thethree sashes, is similarly inserted and removed from frame 17. Panel 19 operates on tracks 24 and when inserted or removed, panel 18 should be in a slightly lowered position to disengage the respective hooks 87 and 89 at the respective meeting rails. In inserting panel 19, the downwardly extending wings 32 on the lowermost pair of spring clips 30 slip into channels 95 on the outer side of web 96 in the side rails 97 of sash 19. The variout rails of sash 19 are similarly joined to one another as described in connection with panel 18. The lower rail 90 of panel 19 can be moved into engagement with the tracks 24 when the panelis lifted the slight distance required for the outer side of recess 91 to clear ridge 67.

Both panels 18 and 19 are provided in their bottom rails with a latch mechanism which cooperates respectively with the niches 3'7 and 36 to provide positive engagement at the desired height for the respective sashes. After panel 19 is in place, the retainers 39 may be swung into the operative position illustrated by the right-hand retainer 39 in Figure 3 for operation of the new window it) as a sliding glazed sash window. As in the case of spring clips 29, spring clips 30 are sufiicieut to hold sash 19 against the tracks 24 for substantial weather tightness, anti-rattling, and the spring clips may be of such strength that they may hold sash H in any position to which it may be moved.

Bottom rail '7 8 of panel 13 is provided with an internal Web 98 paralleling the bottom web of the rail and extending between the sides thereof. Ey means or". a punch or otherwise, web 98 may have a lug 99 turned downwardly toward the bottom of the rail to provide a bolt hole Iltitl at each end facing the respective side walls 28. In each bolt hole, a spring 191 is confined between lug Q9 and a latch bolt and tends to push latch bolt lllZ toward the respective side wall to engage whichever niche may be opposite thereto. A handle 1% extends through a slot 194 in the bottom toward each end of rail 7% so that it can be screwed into the respective latch bolts 162. In this way, movement of the handles 1.63 toward each other will withdraw the bolts 1822 from the niches 37 and permit panel lit to be lowered for removal or other purpose. On the other hand, if the bolts 1% are engaged in a lower pair of niches 37, panel 13 can be shoved upwardly without touching the handles 3133 because the inside contour of the niches 37 will move the bolts on inwardly and along the side walls 28 until an upper pair of niches 37 is engaged.

It will be noted that the handles 103 are beneath the underside of rail 78 thereby minimizing the depth of the new structure occupied by the elements associated with panel 33. in like manner, bottom rail 9t? of panel 19 is provided with an internal web 1135 which may be punched or otherwise indented to create :1 lug 1% against which the inner end of a spring 1'37 may press. The outer end of spring 197 presses against a latch bolt to urge latch bolt 103 toward the side walls 27 and into niches 36. Screws to; extend through respective slots 13.0 in the inner vertical side of rail 90 and hold a handle plate tilt in slidahle relation against the inner side of rail 90 and connect the handle plate 111 to the latch belt 193. A bail 112 is swlngably connected to latch plate 111 and folds up against the inner vertical side of rail )0 when not in use. The latch mechanism at each end of rail 9%) is the same but of opposite hands. The operation of the latch of panel 1? is essentially the same and the cooperation with the niches 36 essentially like that described in connection with the latch mechanism of panel 18. Again, the construction of the latch mechanism for panel 3.) is such that the depth of panel 39 and hence the depth of side walls 27 are minimized reducing the over-all depth of the new window it and making it possible to apply it in places where there otherwise might not be room therefor.

Screen panel Zil may also be made of extruded struc tural rails and joined together with n'iitered corners using angles substantially in the manner described for the glazed panels. Screening 21 may be applied between the inside of the rails in panel 2% and The edges thereof held in an inwardly facing channel llliv integrally formed along the inside edge of each rail by a plastic caulking strip 1135:. The bottom edge of bottom rail H4 of sash 2b is provided with an upwardly extending inverted Ll-shaped recess 115 which when screen 3 is all the way down fits over member d8 in the manner described above. Top rail 116 of panel 29 is provided with an integral outwardly and upwardly extending ledge lli which makes a relatively tight joint with the inner vertical side of either rail :83 or 9t! of panel 19 depending upon whether panel 19 is all of the way down or all of the way up in frame 17. "the spring clips 31 will hold screen panel 20 in any position to which it may be moved along the tracks 23 within the side rails 26 as by a bail 113 mounted to swing flat against the inner vertical surface of rail 114 when the ball is not in use. The initial insertion movement of panel 2i? or the final disengagement movement thereof is shown in Figure 9. Although the spring clips wear against the inner sides of the vertical rails of panel 26, the side rails of panel 26 may be construed in the same manner as the side rails of panels 18 and 19 and similarly held, if desired, against the tracks 23. The new construction when utilizing a screen panel 20 enables all of th sashes to be stored in place so that, in the summertime, for example, the lower inner glass panel E? can be stored at the top of frame 17 along the tracks 26 allowing the screen 21 to cover the lower half of window ll) for ventilation. Conversely, the screen panel 29 may be kept at the top of frame 17 and the glazed panels at the bottom if ventilation through the top of the new window it is desired instead. When glazed panel 19 is stored at the top of frame 17, the bail 112 is preferably left in a fully down position against rail 9% so that it may readily be reached to pull panel down whenever desired as by first simply sliding screen 26 up slightly.

in some cases, it may be desirable to use a pair of the new windows of this invention in side-by-side relation as when providing a storm window for a a particularly large conventional Window. Thus, new windows it) and 1%" made in accordance with this invention may be set side by side and lateral closure strips 46' and 46" fastened in conventional manner to the vertical n'iembers of the surrounds adjacent thereto respectively in the manner described. Adjoining stiles 22' and 22" are not provided with such adjustable closure strips. Instead, the respective flanges and on the one hand and flanges 35" and &5" .on the other hand fit on opposite sides of the web 119 of an H-section mullion bar 1%. Bar 129 which may also be made of a structurally extruded material like aluminum may have the outer side thereof secured as by angle brackets 121 to the lintel and sill respectively of the window opening or surrounds of the conventional window to which the joint windows ill) and it? are applied. The fit of the stiles 22' and 22 in bar 120 are sufliciently tight to provide the substantial weather-tight construction desired. Whenever additional weatherproofing is wanted, suitable caulking or further weatherproofing may be installed. The joint window lt'l-lil may have each part made in the same manner as window 10 and have the elements function in the same manner as the corresponding parts there- Thus, in Figures 16 and 17, such corresponding parts are marked with the same numerals as the numerals used in connection with the prior figures with the addition thereto of a prime and double prime factor to indicate similarity of construction and functioning.

Various changes in details may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a prefabricated window, a frame having jambs of opposite hands, the opposed inner sides of said jambs being rectilinesrly stepped to provide tracks facing in the same direction and unobstructed by the other tracks, one slidable sash of a different width for each of said tracks to slide up and down over said tracks, and means yieldingly overlying a minor portion of said tracks to retain said sashes respectively, said sashes having an edge insertable between said means and said tracks respectively.

2. In a prefabricated window, a frame having jambs of opposite hands, the opposed inner sides of said jambs being stepped to provide tracks and side walls for a plurality of sashes, one slidable sash of a respectively different width to slide along said tracks, said tracks bearing in a single plane respectively relative to said sashes, all of said sashes being substantially insertable and removable from the lower portion of said tracks, and resilient memhers to retain said sashes on said tracks, each of said tracks having individual resilient members substantially in the upper section of said track and extending but a short distance along said track, said resilient members further being adapted to press said sashes against said tracks.

3. In a prefabricated window, a frame having jambs, the opposed inner sides of said jarnbs being rectangularly stepped to provide a plurality of pairs of landings and a plurality of pairs of side walls associated with said land ings, said jambs being single extruded shapes having all of said landings, side walls and laterally outwardly extending flange members, each of the landings in each pair being in the same plane, each of the pairs of said walls associated with each pair of landings connecting said pair of landings with the adjoining pair of landings, one slidable sash of a different width to fit between each pair of said walls and slide along the pair of landings associated with said pair of said walls respectively, and resilient means separately overlying a minor portion of the re spective pairs of landings for pressing said sashes against said landings.

4. In a prefabricated window, a frame having jarnbs, the opposed inner sides of said jambs being rectangularly stepped to provide a plurality of pairs of landings and a plurality of pairs of side walls associated with said landings, each of the landings in each pair being in the same plane and having substantially the same length, each of the pairs of said walls associated with each pair of landings connecting said pair of landings with the adjoining pair of landings, a slidable sash of a different width to fit between each pair of said walls and slide substantially from top to bottom along the pair of landings associated with said pair of said walls respectively, and resilient means overlying a minor portion of the respective pairs of landings for pressing said sashes against said landings in said frame, said means being positioned away from one end of said frame and having at least one resilient wing extending toward the other end of said frame for ready insertion and removal of said sashes along the lower portions of said landings.

5. In a prefabricated window, a frame having jambs of opposite hands, the opposed inner sides of said jambs being stepped, each of said steps comprising a pair of tracks in a common plane and a pair of side walls connecting adjoining pairs of tracks, said pairs of tracks and associated side walls being of different widths, a single sash of corresponding width to slide up and down on each of said respective pairs of tracks, retainer members for each of said pairs of tracks positioned in sufiicient spaced relation to the lower ends of said tracks to admit the respective sashes to the respective tracks relatively independently one of another along the lower portions of said tracks respectively.

6. In a prefabricated window, a frame having jambs of opposite hands, the opposite inner sides of said jambs being stepped, each of said steps comprising a pair of tracks in a common plane and a pair of side walls connecting adjoining tracks, said pairs of tracks and associated side walls being of different widths, those of greater width being toward the inside of said Window, a sash of corresponding width to slide up and down on each of said respective tracks, said sashes having a thickness approximating the length of said respective pairs of side Walls, retainer members yieldingly secured to said side walls for each of said pairs of tracks, said retainer members extending in opposed relation to said tracks respectively to press said sashes against said tracks, said sashes having side rails and outwardly extending spaced flanges on said side rails, said retainer members fitting between said spaced flanges.

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